May 16, 2023

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The University of Sioux Falls is honored to host the Celebration of Life for the late Robert "Bob" Ross Young on Saturday, June 3, 2023. The service will take place at Bob Young Field located at the USF Sports Complex at 11 a.m. Guests are encouraged to wear USF gear while former players that became coaches are encouraged to wear gear from their current institutions.

"Legacy is not what you leave with people.

Legacy is what you leave in people."

-Coach Bob Young

Coach Young began his legacy at the then Sioux Falls College in the late 1950s where he was an all-conference linebacker and offensive guard. In April of 1960, Coach Young married his beloved wife, Diane, before beginning his high school coaching career that began in Garretson, South Dakota, and eventually ended in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1983, he returned to South Dakota to take over the University of Sioux Falls football program where he would ultimately become the winningest coach in Cougar Football history with a career record of 172-69-3. Coach Young helped shape Cougar Football into the program it is today by his "Winner's Win" mantra that's been adopted by every football program since.

Coach Young recorded his first South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference title in 1984 followed by another eight titles before USF transitioned to the Great Plains Athletic Conference in 2000. He led the Coo to 13 conference championships along with a NAIA National Championship in 1996 and later finished runners-up in 2001. Following their National Championship campaign, Young was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year.

In 2001, Coach Young claimed his first of eight GPAC Coach of the Year honors as he led USF to their first GPAC title. Under his leadership, the Cougars would go on to win four GPAC titles, record six unbeaten seasons and advance to the NAIA playoffs 10 times. In total he recorded eight, 10-win seasons along with nine SDIC championships and four GPAC championships. Young was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame, the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, as well as the University of Sioux Falls Hall of Fame throughout his dominant career.

"My experiences and journey wouldn't be the same without Coach Young! As a player, I saw firsthand Coach Young's philosophy as a servant leader lived out each and every day. He cared so much for us to the point where no one ever wanted to let him down. As his assistant coach, I better understood the incredible responsibility that comes along with being called "coach." The relationships were so important to him and his humility was genuine. He taught us a lot about football, but he taught us all a lot more about life!"

-Kalen DeBoer, University of Washington Football

Off the field, Coach Young spent time as a math professor at USF as well as the Director of the Coaches' ministry for Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During his time playing, teaching and coaching, Coach Young left a lasting impact not only on USF Football but the community as a whole. The legacy that he's left behind will not soon be forgotten as it will continue to shape who the USF Cougars are for decades to come.

Following the Celebration of Life, those in attendance are invited to join the family and friends at a tailgate outside of the stadium where they'll be able to purchase food and drinks from local food trucks.